This paper was just released in Frontiers, a premier publication for peer-reviewed research in Psychiatry. The paper is covering the use of MeRT (rTMS) in the treatment of PTSD.
MeRT is a advanced and customized rTMS treatment that has been used very successfully in the treatment of PTSD and Depression in veterans and active duty military. However the use of MeRT (and rTMS or plain TMS) for PTSD treatment is strictly off-label because the FDA has not approved it for this use – only for Major Depressive Disorder and OCD.
As a result MeRT and other forms of rTMS can be used but are not covered by insurance. This is a big barrier to giving this invaluable treatment to our military. The USA does not have conscription and does not have any mandatory military services. All our servicemen and servicewomen volunteer and PTSD is one of the most common negative impacts for those whose chose to serve.
We believe that MeRT should be available to all military personnel and it should be covered by insurance in exactly the same way that any other injury as a result of service in a conflict zone is handled. We must give active duty military and veterans a wide range of viable treatments for PTSD. This paper is an important step in bringing that about.
Having a research study that specifically used MeRT as a treatment for PTSD and found conclusive benefits from the treatment is an important step forward for the treatment of PTSD.
The paper starts with this introduction
“Introduction: Special Operations Forces service members (SOF) are regularly exposed to traumatic and concussive events, increasing the prevalence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, shortening potential years of service.”
“Methods: This retrospective chart review presents preliminary data on a Human Performance Optimization (HPO) program that provided an average of 30 sessions of individualized alpha frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to active-duty SOF as to reduce symptoms of PTSD and depression following traumatic brain injury. Scores from the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5, PROMIS Depression short form and Perceived Deficits Questionnaire (PDQ) were reviewed.”
“Results: Significant reductions were noted after the HPO program in all clinical scales with an average 37% decrease in PCL-5 (p<.01), 11.3% reduction in PROMIS depression T-scores (p<.01), and 45.5% reduction in PDQ scales by session 30 (p<.01), with side effects matching those commonly reported in rTMS. Importantly, the average PCL-5 score decreased from 42.9 to 27 by end of the treatment program, which is below the clinical threshold of 33 for presence of PTSD. For those with depression symptoms scores greater than cut off clinical thresholds at baseline, 46% resolved following treatment.”
“Conclusion: This data provides preliminary support for safe application of rTMS for symptom reduction in active-duty special operations military personnel.“
The full paper can be read here. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1354763/full